Landscape flux potentials for biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) were derived for three ecosystems in the continental U.S. (Fernbank Forest, Atlanta, GA; Willow Creel Rhinelander, WI; Temple Ridge, CO). Analytical data from branch enclosure measurements were combined with ecological survey data for plant species composition and biomaas. Other quantitative flux measurements at the leaf and landscape level were incorporated to scale the results from the enclosure measurements to the landscape level. Flux estimates were derived by using a one week ambient temperature and light record (30 rain time resolution) and adjusting all emission rates to these conditions with temperature and light correction algorithms. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Although uncertainties due to the branch enclosure technique limit the conclusions, tentative data which is valuable to define future re, search attention and nectis is derived. Scaled to the landscape level, this technique allowed identification of those plant species that arc responsible for the major fraction of the total BVOC landscape flux and to identify the major compounds ¢n~tted. It was found that for each of the sites investigated, a very few selected plant species contribute to the major fraction of the total emissions. Northern red oak, post oak, white oak and American beech accounted for 71% of the total BVOC emissions at the Atlanta site. Quaking aspen and Northern red oak were the dominating species at the Wisconsin site with 68% of the total emissions. At the Colorado site, Gambel oak and service berry made up 86% of the BVOC emissions. Total daily average BVOC landscape fluxes determined by this method were 2.0, 4.5 and 2.4 mgC m2h ~ for the Atlanta, Wisconsin and Colorado sites, respectively. The contribution of isoprene to this overall BVOC flux was calculated to be 45, 38 and 54% at the three sites, respectively.The branch enclosure technique combined with ecological surveying and landscape-scale isoprene flux measurements proved to be a valuable tool for seroerting a high number of plant species and for identifying the major . and most important emitters for a more thorough investigation. The obtained data, the suitability of this approach and its limitation to derive BVOC fluxes on the ecosystem level are critically evaluated and factors introducing experimental errors are identified.